Prosser’s Chukar Cherry Co. soon will begin construction on a $1.8 million, 12,000-square-foot production facility, an expansion that will double its space.

The new building will allow Chukar to host tours, create much needed office space and house all activities under one roof.  

“We are bursting at the seams in our current space and can’t wait to have some room to grow in the new building” said Pam Montgomery, owner and founder, in a release.

Chukar Cherry Co. crafts dried cherries, chocolate confections and cherry sauces featuring locally-grown produce. The company’s expansion needs come with the addition of new business lines. 

Chukar currently leases more than 16,440 square feet on two acres of land from the Port of Benton near the Prosser Airport on Wine County Road.  

The expansion will take place within the same area, adjacent to the current building.

Chukar maintains primary production at their flagship location on Wine Country Road while also occupying a second  2,400-square-foot space in the port’s Wine and Food Park.  

The Wine Country Road location hosts all confection creation, production, sorting, packaging and business activities.  

The food park store is dedicated to the newly released line of bakery items and serves as a secondary retail location. 

Chukar Cherry employs 55 full-time equivalent workers. Five to 10 new jobs will be created with the expansion. During the production season, the company’s numbers swell to 150 employees, which is expected to grow with the expansion.

“We are pleased to see the growth and success of their company,” said Scott Keller, executive director for the port.

A grant recently provided by the Hanford Area Economic Investment Fund for $100,000 will be used to support the project.

Banlin Construction of Kennewick will oversee construction and the building is scheduled to be completed late August.